At this moment Captain Ekovetz came into the office, and through him it was ascertained that the runaways were captured while they were going on board of a steamer about to start for Kazan, and had their tickets, for which the police compelled the seller to refund the money. De Forrest attempted to explain, but his statement was rather improbable—quite as much so as the rest of his story.
"How long have you been here?" inquired the doctor.
"Three days, sir."
"As prisoners?"
"We staid at the Hotel Odessa, but the police and the servants watched us all the time."
"This isn't a good country to run away in," laughed the doctor.
"We had no idea of running away, sir."
"Getting left is about the same thing. But we will move on, for we have not much time to spare."
Droskies were taken, and the captain directed them to drive to Minin's Tower. It is on a bluff, where the old town stood, including a part of the Kremlin, and commands a fine view of the river and the fairgrounds, on the tongue of land between the Volga and the Oka. The party entered the Cathedral of the Transformation, where Minin is buried.
"Who was Minin?" asked Lincoln, as they stood by the obelisk erected to his memory.